The Offensive Church

Crises around race have put the church in a defensive posture, always reacting to racial conflicts in society. But Jesus wants more. He wants Christians to play offense by discipling people into a new humanity, where we push beyond mere diversity and into a biblical vision for ethnic unity. Bryan Loritts calls Christians to proactively and intentionally live out the embodied reality of a people at one with one another. We play offense by practicing a robust gospel, preparing reliable leadership, and providing relational environments so that the church becomes the aroma of Christ to our culture and gains ground against the demonic foothold of racism in all its forms.

Gate Crashers: The Offensive Church makes the case that God desires to work through the church to do abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, not because we deserve it, but for the praise, honor, and glory of his own name (Eph 3:20-21). Although much modern experience within the ranks of the professing church would cast doubt on this, the Scriptures reveal God's amazing plan and model for his church. While it may be true that our present system of church has drifted away from God's perfect design, the good news is that we can get back on track by submitting to his perfect will! Are you ready to get onboard the Offensive Church and become a gate crasher?

Who is the Jesus we're showing? What is the Story we're telling? These honest questions sit at the heart of this punchy, provocative book. In his debut title, Jeremy seeks to drive a conversation in the Church about how we show Jesus and tell His hopeful Story. If Jesus and His Story are what people have been waiting for their whole lives, why are so many people leaving Him and avoiding His people? Jeremy helps us understand why this is happening and what Christians can do about it. Newly revised and filled with discussion questions, the (un)offensive gospel of Jesus sketches a fresh portrait of God's magical, revolutionary Story of Rescue and the good Jesus found in the Holy Scriptures. Through his own experience in the Church, conversations with friends, and an honest look at theology and the Bible, Jeremy explores how Jesus and His gospel are good, sweet news for all the world. Most of all, he helps us understand why both are more hopeful than many of us realize. ENDORSEMENTS: "Jeremy is a deep thinker; he's courageous enough to challenge some popular evangelicals and emergents today. Yet, this is not a screed: Jeremy loves the Church and has a passion for the ostracized and he tells us in this book that grace grinding is the not the way of Jesus and it is not the gospel Jesus preached." -Scot McKnight, Professor, Northern Seminary; Author, The Jesus Creed and The King Jesus Gospel "Jeremy had me at the title. With deep passion for the Church, a sharp awareness of the prevalent, hot, future-shaping emerging conversation, and the courage to slay a few sacred cows, he offers a compelling vision of Jesus and the Church's mission. Jeremy's debut book informs, disturbs, encourages, and challenges. Who is the Jesus we show to the world? What is the Story we tell? These two questions will never be the same for me."-John W. Frye, Pastor, Fellowship Covenant Church; Grand Rapids, MI; Author, Jesus the Pastor and Out of Print "While recognizing our fallen world with failing followers of Jesus, Jeremy paints a brilliant, honest, passionate and redeeming picture of the Christ who heals, speaks with authority and still changes the impossible. As we step back and gaze at this amazing portrait of a liberating magnetic Jesus I find good news, an (un)offensive Jesus, to whom I have too often shamefully been offensive."-Doug Fagerstrom, Former President, Grand Rapids Theological Seminary

“Between the Christianity of this land, and the Christianity of Christ, I recognize the widest possible difference.” –Frederick Douglass, 1845 The prophets of old were not easy to listen to because they did not flatter. They did not cajole. They spoke hard words that often chafed and unsettled their listeners. Like the Old Testament prophets, and more recent prophetic voices like Frederick Douglass, Dr. Eric Mason calls the evangelical church to a much-needed reckoning. In a time when many feel confused, complacent, or even angry, he challenges the church to: Be Aware – to understand that the issue of justice is not a black issue, it’s a kingdom issue. To learn how the history of racism in America and in the church has tainted our witness to a watching world. Be Redemptive – to grieve and lament what we have lost and to regain our prophetic voice, calling the church to remember our gospel imperative to promote justice and mercy. Be Active – to move beyond polite, safe conversations about reconciliation and begin to set things aright for our soon-coming King, who will be looking for a WOKE CHURCH.

“An extraordinary novel . . . a triumph of insight and storytelling.” —Associated Press “A true masterpiece.” —Glennon Doyle, author of Untamed An extraordinary story set in the first century about a woman who finds her voice and her destiny, from the celebrated number one New York Times bestselling author of The Secret Life of Bees and The Invention of Wings In her mesmerizing fourth work of fiction, Sue Monk Kidd takes an audacious approach to history and brings her acclaimed narrative gifts to imagine the story of a young woman named Ana. Raised in a wealthy family with ties to the ruler of Galilee, she is rebellious and ambitious, with a brilliant mind and a daring spirit. She engages in furtive scholarly pursuits and writes narratives about neglected and silenced women. Ana is expected to marry an older widower, a prospect that horrifies her. An encounter with eighteen-year-old Jesus changes everything. Their marriage evolves with love and conflict, humor and pathos in Nazareth, where Ana makes a home with Jesus, his brothers, and their mother, Mary. Ana's pent-up longings intensify amid the turbulent resistance to Rome's occupation of Israel, partially led by her brother, Judas. She is sustained by her fearless aunt Yaltha, who harbors a compelling secret. When Ana commits a brazen act that puts her in peril, she flees to Alexandria, where startling revelations and greater dangers unfold, and she finds refuge in unexpected surroundings. Ana determines her fate during a stunning convergence of events considered among the most impactful in human history. Grounded in meticulous research and written with a reverential approach to Jesus's life that focuses on his humanity, The Book of Longings is an inspiring, unforgettable account of one woman's bold struggle to realize the passion and potential inside her, while living in a time, place and culture devised to silence her. It is a triumph of storytelling both timely and timeless, from a masterful writer at the height of her powers.

1st Century Expansion for 21st Century PunksChrist didn t give us a plan B. You ve probably seen what the apostles did with plan A. Impressive stuff. Why then is the 21st century church with all its size and gadgets so inept at reaching people? In a bold no-holds-barred approach, "Church Zero" challenges next-gen leaders to return to a New Testament model of church. "

This simple, lyrical story celebrates a Sunday morning at an inclusive church that embraces all people regardless of age, class, race, gender identity, and sexual orientation. All are welcome at the church for all!